What life experiences propelled you into the entrepreneurial space and made you decide to be your own boss?
There are many. There are the personal challenges my parents faced as immigrants coming to this country, my mom’s journey as a single mother, and my own experiences with race and poverty. I have also explored different career paths in civic technology, business, government, and organizing – those experiences cemented for me that you cannot replace face-to-face relationships that strengthen community and that the power is in people. I also am fortunate to have attended educational institutions that carry a great deal of resources and connections, and these institutions have opened doors for me. I saw that there was a gap in connecting people in low-income neighborhoods to critical knowledge, resources, and connections that are self-sustaining and an opportunity to meet that need in BOLT. I also see the solution corresponding to this opportunity as clearly defined in a way that I would be able to work myself out a job, by solving the problem.
What do you enjoy most about being a founder?
I enjoy connecting to people, solving problems, and having the freedom & flexibility to respond directly to the needs of the people we serve. I also enjoy being able to work with an amazing team of individuals who bring creativity, passion, and deep care for our work to the table every day.
What do you wish someone had told you before you started your entrepreneurial journey?
I remember once asking Marshall Ganz how organizers can make space for self-care when the culture carries high demands and the work can be not just technically, but also emotionally challenging. He said: “Organizers meet, act, and celebrate. They’re very good at the first two, but they sometimes forget to do the last one – celebrate. Take time to celebrate wins, whether big or small. That’s how we persist.” I believe the same is applicable to entrepreneurship.
Tell us about an experience you had as an entrepreneur or in starting your company that exemplified one of Camelback’s core values: “Belief in Mission + Vision”; “Unafraid of Failure”; “Constant Learner”; “Humble + Hungry”; and “Give First.”
There was a decent amount of pushback when I first started BOLT, and not everyone believed the idea would work, even after we piloted it with demonstrated impact and testimonials from participants, because often the pushback came from biases and different lived experiences. One person asked if I had considered building a tech app to solve the problem instead. Another person questioned whether paying participants a minimum of $15/hour was necessary and that the organization would be more attractive to fund if I reduced costs from paying participants. These experiences led me to double down on building out our programs because these barriers made it clear to me why the problem continues to persist. It led me to roll up my sleeves, take on multiple roles to start-up this organization ranging from video-making to accounting, and persist.
Let’s talk about your legacy. What is your vision for the kind of world you hope to create through your venture?
I dream of a future where every neighborhood thrives, led by the people living there. In that world, people have access to high-quality education where they gain knowledge, resources, and connections that allow them to thrive – not just live or get by. And in that world, BOLT would cease to exist because it means those opportunities are integrated into every neighborhood, where residents are the ones driving that change.
What’s your favorite book or podcast that you draw entrepreneurial inspiration from?
The Wretched of the Earth, by Frantz Fanon.
We know balancing the demands of entrepreneurship and life can be challenging. What are some of your favorite ways to prioritize your self-care?
Board games is one of my favorite ways to engage my mind in a fun activity outside of entrepreneurship. I also love traveling and spending time in a new place for a few days or longer – whether in a new city or in nature – to take a moment to breathe and reflect.
